Somehow, two of the best wide receivers in the league, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, have yet to sign extensions with the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving plenty of intrigue around their futures with the team.
However, NFL insider Tom Pelissero posted a statement on Friday, March 14, that shed some light on the situation.
Will Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins Stay in Cincinnati?
The Bengals have made significant progress on contract extensions with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and both deals could be finalized in the coming days,” Pelissero reported via his X account.
“It now appears Joe Burrow will get his wish: Both star WRs in Cincy for years to come,” he said.
The #Bengals have made significant progress on contract extensions with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and both deals could be finalized in the coming days, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
It now appears Joe Burrow will get his wish: Both star WRs in Cincy for years to come. pic.twitter.com/g8xRnXYYLn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2025
While it’s no surprise that the franchise wants to keep both dynamic weapons, there’s likely no one more thrilled about this development than Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. The former Heisman winner has been vocal about his desire for the front office to retain Chase and Higgins.
According to NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic, “Significant progress has been made with both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, the latter of whom received his first offer from the team during the combine.”
The Bengals have been very motivated to extend their superstar receivers.
Significant progress has been made with both Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, the latter of whom received his first offer from the team during the combine.
Expect the duo to received over $70 million per… pic.twitter.com/7qQgIj0mjm
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 14, 2025
Russini added that the Bengals are motivated to get the deals done. However, the team’s salary cap situation and the star receivers’ demands have made bridging the impasse difficult.
Expect Chase, Higgins Contracts To Be HUGE!
Russini said to “expect the duo to receive over $70 million per year combined.” NFL insider Adam Schefter gave a detailed breakdown of what to expect from Chase’s deal.
“The expectation around the league is that Ja’Marr Chase’s new deal, if and when it gets done, will average somewhere in the range of $40.1 million to $41 million per year, topping Myles Garrett and making him the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL, as the Bengals said he would be,” Schefter said.
The expectation around the league is that Ja’Marr Chase’s new deal, if and when it gets done, will average somewhere in the range of $40.1 million to $41 million per year, topping Myles Garrett and making him the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL, as the Bengals said he would be. https://t.co/3PhjadwS8o
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2025
If both Russini and Schefter’s reports are accurate, that implies Higgins is expected to come in at around $30 million per year in average annual value (AAV). Regardless of how much it hurts Cincinnati’s pockets, Burrow will be content to have his weapons back and his championship window presumably open.